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Walel Watson

Walel Watson

TRAINING: A typical day leading up to this fight would start with boxing followed by jiu jitsu, followed by some type of sparring, depending on the day. I take a break, then it’s wrestling then strength and conditioning, usually followed by some type of sparring, depending on the day.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training in MMA in 2008 right after playing junior college football. That’s when I realized that I wasn’t going to get a scholarship and continue playing because I was too skinny for a Division I school. But I still wanted to be a professional athlete and compete on a high level, so my best friend Robert Peralta took me to a garage and we started training and never stopped since.

Do you have any heroes? My parents are my heroes. They always told me that I can achieve anything as long as I believed and worked hard. Even when everyone else doubted me they were my biggest fans.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? Fighting in the UFC is my dream come true! Since I was a child I wanted to be a professional athlete and the UFC and Mr. White have given me that opportunity, and I’m so thankful and blessed to showcase my abilities and hard work to the world.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I still need to go back and finish college. I was studying for my kinesiology degree and I got down on myself after I realized I wasn’t going to move on to a university to play football. But I plan on it very soon.

What was your job before you started fighting? Before fighting I was a full-time student athlete, and then I was working with this private moving company to help make some money to get by, but gave up everything to train full-time and make this happen.

Ranks in any martial arts styles: Purple belt in BJJ under Manolo Hernandez, who is a 3rd degree black belt under Carlos Valente.

Getty Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this image or clip. If you violate our intellectual property you may be liable for: actual damages, loss of income, and profits you derive from the use of this image or clip, and, where appropriate, the costs of collection and/or statutory damages up to $150,000 (USD).